Optical disc recording/reproducing method and recording/reproducing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to reduce the time a host computer requires to recognize a recordable disc such as CD-R/CD-RW. The method includes the steps of determining whether or not an optical disc loaded in the optical disc recording/reproduction apparatus is an optical disc onto which data is likely to be written (S 46 ), and if the preceding step S 46  determines the loaded disc as an optical disc onto which data is likely to be written, acquisition of disc information required for recording on the optical disc is performed by the host computer inter-relatedly with a spinup in the same step (S 47 ). Thus, the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus returns the disc information to the host computer in step (S 4 E) without performing the step (S 4 D) for acquiring the disc information after the completion of the spinup (S 4 A) for the optical disc onto which data is likely to be written. Thus, the time required for recognizing a recordable disc can be reduced when the disc is loaded.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical discrecording/reproducing method for an optical disc recording/reproducingapparatus connected to a host computer for recording and reproducingdata according to instructions from the host computer through the use ofwriting software.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In typical CD-R drives or CD-RW drives, which are write-once orrewritable optical disc drives, a command for returning informationabout the recognition of a recordable optical disc to a host computer isa read disc information command or a read track information command.Information concerning recording must be acquired before the response tothis command.

[0003] Determination of completion of disc recognition depends on theenvironment of the host computer. In particular, in a host computerenvironment in which the priority of reproduction from a loaded opticaldisc is higher, the return of information about the file system of arecorded area after the completion of spinup is typically considered asthe completion of disc recognition. In a host computer environment inwhich the priority of recording onto a loaded optical disc is higher,the return of information concerning recording in response to the readdisc information command or read track information command mentionedabove is typically considered as the completion of disc recognition.

[0004] However, the differences in disc recognition conditions amonghost computer environments or the reduction in disc recognition time arenot sufficiently considered in prior-art CD-R or CD-RW drives. Thetiming of acquiring disc information concerning recording after arecordable disc is loaded is fixed in a spinup period or fixed in aperiod between the completion of spinup and the response to a read discinformation command or read track information command.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case of acquiring information needed forreproduction operation during spinup and acquiring information neededfor write operation, the acquisition of all Table of Contents(hereinafter abbreviated to TOC) information and address translationinformation, which are required for reproduction, is performedseparately from the acquisition of track record format information,which is recorded area track record information concerning recording,and the acquisition of track write position information.

[0006] Moreover, the count of error retries for acquiring theinformation concerning recording within a spinup period is set toconsiderably large value without making a distinction from the errorretry count for acquiring information required for reproduction.Consequently, a timeout error due to failure to acquire informationconcerning recording occurs frequently during the spinup period.

[0007] Furthermore, track record information in a program memory area(hereinafter abbreviated to PMA) is also used for acquiring all TOCinformation on a multi-session disc. Therefore when a CD-R/RW disc isloaded, the track record information in the PMA is acquired during thespinup.

[0008] Furthermore, Constant Linear Velocity (CLV) mode is used for theacquisition of information concerning recording and reproduction, whichinvolves access to an inner area and an outer edge of an optical disc.

[0009] In prior-art CD-R/CD-RW drives, the timing of acquiring discinformation concerning recording after a recordable optical disc isloaded is fixed in a spinup period or fixed in a period between thecompletion of spinup and the response to a read disc information commandor read track information command. Accordingly, it can take much time torecognize a loaded recordable optical disc, depending on hostenvironments.

[0010] Furthermore, the acquisition of track record information about arecorded area and a write position, which is information concerningrecording, and the acquisition of information required for reproductionare separately performed during a spinup. Therefore, seeks in longranges and in the reverse direction frequently occur in an optical disc,leading to increased processing time.

[0011] In addition, when the acquisition of information concerningrecording is performed within a spinup period, a timeout error can occurduring the spinup period because the number of error retries foracquiring information concerning recording is set to a large number.

[0012] Furthermore, the acquisition of information in the PMA that isused for acquiring all TOC information on any multi-session CD-R/CD-RWdisc increases spinup time.

[0013] Furthermore, CLV mode, which involves access to an inner andouter area of an optical disc is used for acquiring information requiredfor recording and reproduction. As a result, acceleration and reductionof the speed of the spindle motor frequently occur, slowing theacquisition.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0014] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce thetime required for a host computer to recognize a disc in an optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus that performs recording and reproductionaccording to instructions from the host computer.

[0015] An optical disc recording/reproducing method of the presentinvention that solves the above described problem is characterized inthat: if a loaded optical disc has a recording state that provides ahigh possibility of recording or uses a recording type having a highpossibility of recording and therefore the disc is considered as anoptical disc that is likely to be recorded, or if it is determined thata command for acquiring information concerning recording is issued froma host computer in an early stage after the completion of a spinup andthe host computer environment is identified as one in which the priorityof recording on a loaded disc is high and disc information concerningrecording should be acquired for the recognition of the disc, thenacquisition of track record information and write position informationthat are required for recording are performed in conjunction with theacquisition of information required for reproduction during the spinup,thereby reducing the time required for the host computer to recognizethe disc.

[0016] That is, on the ground that to acquire information in a closerange or in the opposite direction is short in terms of time and stablein terms of operation compared with in a long range or in the samedirection, a seek is performed in a close range and in a fixed directionso that the acquisition of all TOC information and address translationinformation required for reproduction and the acquisition of trackrecord information for a recorded area and write position information,which are information concerning recording, are performed in conjunctionwith each other in the same process, thereby reducing the seek time.

[0017] In addition, disc recognition timing setting changing means isproposed herein in order to accommodate a change of the timing ofissuing a command for acquiring information concerning recording due toan update of a device driver or writing software on the host computer.

[0018] Furthermore, the number of error retries for acquiringinformation concerning recording within a spinup is reduced and, if anerror occurs, the acquisition of information is suspended and theremaining spinup is continued and the information concerning recordingis acquired within a period between the completion of the spinup and theprovision of the response to a command returning the informationconcerning recording, thereby decreasing the provability of timeouterrors due to failure to acquire information concerning recording duringthe spinup.

[0019] If a CD-R/CD-RW disc is loaded and it is determined from itsfirst-session TOC information acquired previously that its secondsession is void, then the acquisition of information in a program memoryarea (PMA) in the disc and the remaining information concerningrecording are not performed in the spinup to reduce the spinup time.

[0020] Furthermore, for the acquisition operation of informationrequired for recording and reproduction that involves access to innerand outer areas of an optical disc, Constant Angular Velocity (CAV) modeis used in which acceleration or reduction of the speed of the spindlemotor does not take place, thereby reducing the time required for thehost computer to recognize the disc.

[0021] In optical disc recording/reproducing apparatuses, it iscommonplace that TOC information and address translation information forregenerative areas are acquired during a spinup period as informationrequired for reproduction. It is proposed herein that if a loadedoptical disc has a recording state that provides a high possibility ofrecording or uses a recording type having a high possibility ofrecording and therefore the disc is considered as an optical disc thatis likely to be recorded, or if it is determined that the host computerenvironment is one in which a command for acquiring informationconcerning recording is issued from a host computer in an early stageafter the completion of a spinup, the acquisition of track recordinformation and write position information required for recording areperformed in conjunction with the acquisition of information requiredfor reproduction in the same process during the spinup to reduce thetime required for the host computer to recognize the disc. Furthermore,disc recognition timing setting change according to changes in the hostcomputer environment is proposed.

[0022] This means that on the ground that to acquire information in aclose range or in the opposite direction is short in terms of time andstable in terms of operation compared with in a long range or in thesame direction, a seek is performed in a range and in a fixed directionwhere possible so that the acquisition of all TOC information andaddress translation information required for reproduction and theacquisition of track record information for a recorded area and writeposition information, which are information concerning recording, areperformed in conjunction with each other in the same process, therebyreducing the seek time.

[0023] It is common that the value of timeout that occurs if a spinupdoes not end within a predetermined time is set to protect the opticaldisc recording/reproducing apparatus against loading of an invalid disc,and if a timeout error occurs, a Not Ready state is returned to the hostcomputer. It is not advantageous to an optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus having reproduction capability that thea timeout error is caused due to an excess amount of time required foracquiring information concerning recording unrelated to reproduction.Therefore, the number of error retries for acquiring informationconcerning recording during a spinup is decreased and, if an erroroccurs, the acquisition of the information is suspended, the remainingspinup is continued, and then the acquisition of the informationconcerning recording is performed before the response to a commandreturning the information concerning recording, thereby decreasing theprovability of occurrence of timeout errors due to failure of acquiringinformation concerning recording during a spinup.

[0024] Furthermore, for acquiring track record information recorded inan extended recording area (PMA) in the optical disc, which is recordinformation useful for writing data and also used for acquiring all TOCinformation in the multi-session disc, it is determined on the basis offirst-session TOC information whether or not the second session iseffective. If it is determined that the second session is void, then theacquisition of information in the PMA and other information concerningrecording are not performed during the spinup to reduce the spinup time.

[0025] Moreover, for acquiring information concerning recording thatinvolves access to an inner area and outer area of the optical disc, CAVmode is used in which acceleration or reduction of the speed of thespindle motor does not take place, thereby reducing the time requiredfor the host computer to recognize the optical disc.

[0026] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 1of the present invention is characterized in that: for using writingsoftware to perform recording and reproduction in an optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus connected to a host computer accordingto instructions from the host computer, the method comprises the stepsof: determining whether or not an optical disc loaded in the opticaldisc recording/reproduction apparatus is an optical disc onto which datais likely to be written; and if it is determined in the preceding stepthat the disc is an optical disc onto which data is likely to bewritten, acquisition of disc information required for recording onto theoptical disc is performed by the host computer during a spinup; whereinthe optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus returns the discinformation to the host computer without performing the acquisition ofthe disc information after the completion of the spinup for the opticaldisc onto which data is likely to be written.

[0027] This configuration can reduce the time required for the hostcomputer to recognize a loaded recordable optical disc.

[0028] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 2of the present invention is characterized in that: for using writingsoftware to perform recording and reproduction in an optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus connected to a host computer accordingto instructions from the host computer, comprising the steps of:determining whether or not a command for the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus to return information concerningrecording to the host computer has been issued by the host computer inan early stage after the completion of a spinup; storing the result ofthe determination in memory; determining whether the acquisition of discinformation concerning recording should be performed during the spinupor after the completion of the spinup according to the result of thedetermination read from the memory; and if it is determined in thepreceding step that the acquisition should be performed during thespinup, performing by the host computer the acquisition of the discinformation required for recording on the optical disc during thespinup;

[0029] wherein the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus returnsthe disc information to the host computer without performing theacquisition of the disc information after the completion of the spinupfor the optical disc onto which data is likely to be written.

[0030] This configuration can reduce the time required for the hostcomputer to recognize a loaded recordable optical disc.

[0031] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 3of the present invention is characterized in that: the step ofdetermining whether or not the command has been issued from the hostcomputer in an early stage after the completion of the spinup accordingto claim 2 measures the time period between the completion of the spinupand the issuance of a command returning information concerning recordingand, if the measured time period is less than of equal to apredetermined threshold, determines that the command is issued from thehost computer in an early stage after the completion of the spinup.

[0032] This configuration allows disc recognition timing, which differsfrom one host computer environment to another, to be identified.

[0033] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 4of the present invention is characterized in that the step of storingthe result of the determination in the memory according to claim 2 or 3initializes the memory upon powering on the host computer or resettingthe hardware of the host computer, and sets stored values for a periodfrom the completion of the spinup on the first load of an optical discto the issuance of the command for returning information concerningrecording.

[0034] This configuration allows disc recognition timing can be changedaccording to changes of the host computer environment.

[0035] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 5of the present invention is characterized in that: the acquisition ofinformation required for reproduction and the acquisition of informationrequired for recording according to claim 1 or 2 are performed inconjunction with each other in the same process during the spinup.

[0036] This configuration can reduce the time required for the hostcomputer to recognize a loaded recordable optical disc.

[0037] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 6of the present invention is characterized in that: wherein when theacquisition of information concerning recording is performed during aspinup according to claim 1 or 2, the count of error retries foracquiring information required for reproduction and the count of errorretries for acquiring information required for recording are providedseparately and the count of error retries for acquiring informationrequired for recording is set to a value less than that of the count oferror retries for acquiring information required for reproduction; andif the count of error retries for acquiring information concerningrecording is exceeded, the acquisition of the information concerningrecording during the spinup is suspended and the remaining spinup iscontinued and the information concerning recording is acquired before aresponse to the command for returning the information concerningrecording.

[0038] This configuration can decrease the probability of occurrence oftimeout errors due to failure of acquiring information concerningrecording during a spinup.

[0039] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 7of the present invention is characterized in that: for using writingsoftware to perform recording and reproduction in an optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus connected to a host computer accordingto instructions from the host computer, wherein, track informationrecorded in an extended recording area of an optical disc loaded on theoptical disc recording/reproducing apparatus, TOC information for thefirst session from among pieces of TOC information that are indexinformation of reproducible tracks, and information concerning the finalclosed session are acquired during a spinup;

[0040] it is determined from the acquired TOC information for the firstsession whether or not the second session is void, and if it isdetermined that the second session is void, the acquisition of the trackinformation in the extended recording area of the optical disc andinformation concerning recording are not performed during the spinup.

[0041] According to this configuration, if it is determined from thefirst-session TOC information obtained in advance that the secondsession is void, the acquisition of information in a PMA and otherinformation concerning recording is not performed during the spinup,thereby reducing the spinup time.

[0042] An optical disc recording/reproducing method set forth in claim 8of the present invention is characterized in that: it is determinedwhether or not the loaded optical disc is recordable according to claim1 or 2, and if the determination is positive, the acquisition ofinformation concerning recording and information concerning reproductionare performed in CAV mode to reduce the seek time compared with the seektime in CLV mode and reduce the time required for the host computer torecognize the disc.

[0043] According to this configuration, the time required for the hostcomputer to recognize the optical disc can be reduced because, foracquiring information concerning recording and reproducing informationthat involve access to an inner area and outer area of the optical disc,CAV mode is used in which acceleration or reduction of the speed of thespindle motor does not take place.

[0044] An optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus set forth inclaim 9 of the present invention is connected to a host computer forusing writing software to perform recording and reproduction accordingto instructions from the host computer, characterized by comprisingstorage means for storing all of, one of, or a combination of aplurality of the optical disc recording/reproducing method according toclaims 1 to 8 as a program; and control means for performing the programstored in the storage means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an optical disc recording/reproducingapparatus that implements an optical disc recording/reproducing methodaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system configuration according to theembodiment;

[0047]FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating an operation for acquiringinformation about an optical disc onto which data is recorded throughthe use of Packet-Writing-based writing software according to theembodiment;

[0048]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the embodiment;

[0049]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0050]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the initialization and setting of a hostenvironment flag according to the second embodiment;

[0051]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed in the main elementsof a third embodiment of the present invention; and

[0052]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process performed in the main elementsof a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0053] An optical disc recording/reproducing method according to thepresent invention will be described with respect to embodiments of thepresent invention.

[0054] First Embodiment

[0055] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0056]FIG. 2 shows an optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus 22using an optical disc recording/reproducing method of the presentinvention, which is connected to a host computer 21 through an interfacecable 23 for recording/reproducing data through the use of writingsoftware 24 installed in the host computer 21. The host computer 21running the writing software 24 issues commands to the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22.

[0057] The optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus 22 is configuredas shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an EFMencode/decode circuit 104, an EFM wobble signal processing circuit 105,a laser control circuit 106, a laser pickup 107, a speed selectorcircuit 108, a rotation control circuit 109, a spindle motor 110, and aninterface 112.

[0058] The optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus 22 is arrangedso that the CPU 101 operates as shown in a flowchart in FIG. 4.

[0059] When an optical disc 111 is loaded in the optical discrecording/reproduction apparatus 22, the CPU 101 instructs the rotationcontrol circuit 109 to drive the spindle motor 110 at step S41.

[0060] At step 42, it is determined whether the loaded optical disc is aCD-R/CD-RW disc, or a stamped disc. CD-R/CD-RW discs contain wobbleinformation, which is specific to them. The determination as to whetherthe disc is a CD-R/CD-RW disc or a stamped disc is made on the basis ofwhether or not wobble information specific to CD-R/CD-RW can be readthrough the EFM wobble signal processing circuit 105.

[0061] If it is determined at step S43 that the disc is a CD-R/CD-RWdisc, step S44 is performed.

[0062]FIG. 3 shows an exemplary operation according to the presentinvention for acquiring information about an optical disc on which datais recorded with packet-writing-based writing software 24. On theleft-hand side of FIG. 3 is areas near the center. Reference number 31indicates a PCA (Power Calibration Area), in which test data is writtenand read to find an optimum power according to certain evaluationcriteria.

[0063] Reference number 32 indicates a PMA (Program Memory Area) whichis an extended recording area on the disc, in which the track numbersand start and end points of the tracks are contained. Outside of the PMA32 is a program area.

[0064] At step S44 in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 seeks to a read-in area 33 ofthe first session and acquires TOC information. At step S45, the CPU 101seeks to the start position of the PMA 32, traces recorded PMA regionsto acquire information about the recording type of recorded tracks,starting and end times.

[0065] At step S46, the CPU 101 determines on the basis of the recordingmode information acquired at step S45 whether or not the packet writinghas been used on the disc. If so, the CPU 101 considers that there is ahigh possibility that data will be recorded on the disc and proceeds tostep S47.

[0066] At step S47, information required for reproduction operation andinformation required for recording operation are acquired in conjunctionwith each other during a spinup process. That is, all remaininginformation, including information about recording, is acquired bysearching through a close range in the direction from the inner area tothe outer edge of the disc. The information to be acquired forreproduction includes all information required for the addresstranslation mode (method 2) within a closed session and the final closedsession information. The information to be acquired for recordingincludes method 2 information within an open session and trackinformation within the open session.

[0067] The information acquired at step S47 is listed below.

[0068] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0069] Information required for reproduction

[0070] Method 2 information in a closed session

[0071] Final closed session information

[0072] Information required for recording

[0073] Track record information in a closed session

[0074] Method 2 information in an open session

[0075] Track record information in the open session

[0076] On the other hand, if it is determined at step S46 that thepacket writing method has not been used, then it is determined that thedata is less likely to be written, and step S48 is executed.

[0077] At step S48, method 2 conversion information in a closed sessionand information indicating the final closed session is acquired toacquire information required for reproducing operation.

[0078] If it is determined at step S43 that the disc is not a CD-R/CD-RWdisc, it is determined that a stamped disc is containing no informationabout recording and the process proceeds to step S49.

[0079] The information acquired at step S48 is listed below.

[0080] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0081] Information required for reproduction

[0082] Method 2 information in a closed session

[0083] Final closed session information

[0084] At step S49, TOC information recorded in the read-in area 33 ofeach session is searched for to acquire the TOC information required forreproduction operation only and method 2 conversion information for eachsession.

[0085] The operations performed at step S49 are listed below.

[0086] For each of the sessions until the nth session is reached,

[0087] (1) TOC information is searched for,

[0088] (2) the TOC information is acquired, and

[0089] (3) method 2 information is acquired.

[0090] After the completion of any of the steps S47, S48, and S49, thespinup operation is completed and the spinup completion is reported tothe host computer 21 at step S4A.

[0091] Then, the CPU 101 waits until an information acquisition commandrequired for recording is issued from the host computer 21 at step S4B.Typical information acquisition commands required for recording are aread disc information command, which returns the recording state of anentire disc, and a read track information command, which returns therecording state of each individual track.

[0092] If it is determined at step S4B that an information acquisitioncommand required for recording is issued from the host computer 21, stepS4C is performed.

[0093] At step S4C, it is determined whether or not Packet Writing hasbeen used. If Packet Writing has not been used, step S4D is performed.

[0094] At step S4D, all the remaining information about recording isacquired by searching a close distance in the direction from the innerarea to the outer edge of the disc. If the disc is a stamped disc onwhich no data can be recorded, track record information in a closedsession is acquired. If the disc is a CD-R/CD-RW disc, track recordinformation in a closed session and track record information and method2 conversion information in an open session are acquired.

[0095] The operations performed at step S4D are listed below.

[0096] The following information is acquired in a close range in thedirection from the inner area to outer edge of the disc:

[0097] Track record information in a closed session,

[0098] Method 2 information in an open session

[0099] Track record information in the open session

[0100] If it is determined at step S4C that Packet Writing has been usedfor the disc or after step S4D is completed, the process proceeds tostep S4E.

[0101] At step S4E, recording information acquired and stored in thememory is sent back to the host computer 21, thereby completing theprocess concerning the disc recognition.

[0102] Referring back to FIG. 3, an exemplary operation for acquiringinformation about the disc on which data has been recorded by means ofPacket-Writing-based writing software. Reference numbers 33, 34, and 35indicate the read-in area, program area, and read-out area of the firstsession, respectively. The fist session is closed and has two recordedtracks recorded in it. Reference numbers 36 and 37 indicate the read-inarea and program area of the second session. The second session isopened. Track 3 of the second session is reserved and blank. On track 4,additional data is being written and therefore its end position has notbeen determined yet.

[0103] The method 2 conversion information and track record informationin the track closed session are recorded in a pre-gap 38 between track 1and track 2 of the first session. The method 2 conversion information inan open session as well as track recording format information in thetrack record information are recorded in a pre-gap 38 between track 3and track 4 of the second session. The additionally recorded informationin the track record information can be acquired by searching throughtracks 3 and 4 in the open session to identify the boundary between therecorded region and the blank region.

[0104] As described above, it is determined at step S43 whether or notdata is recorded in the read-in area 33 of the first session. In theexample in FIG. 3, the read-in area 33 is a “recorded area.” Therefore,TOC information is acquired at step S44. Then at step S46, the CPU 101seeks to the beginning of the PMA 32 (J31) and traces the recordedregion in the PMA 32 (J32) to acquire a track record. At step S47, theremaining disc information, including information about additionallyrecorded data, is acquired. The CPU 101 seeks to the pre-gap 38 of track1 in the closed session (J33) to acquire the method 2 conversioninformation and track 1 recording format information. Then, it seeks tothe pre-gap 38 of the track 1 (J34) to acquire the method 2 conversioninformation and track 2 recording format information. It then seeks to aregion 36, which would be the read-in area of the second session (J35),to determine whether information is recorded in the area. Because nodata is recorded, the CPU 101 acquires the knowledge that the fistsession is the final closed session. It then seeks to the pre-gap 38 oftrack 3 of the open session (J36) to determine whether information isrecorded. Because no information is recorded, the CPU 101 determinesthat the entire track is blank and identifies the beginning of thattrack as the position at which additional data is to be recorded. Itthen seeks to the pre-gap 38 of the track 4 in the open session (J37)and acquires the recorded method 2 conversion information and track 4recording format information. Then it searches track 4 from itsbeginning to the end of the disc for the end of the recorded region(J38) to acquire the knowledge of the position in track 4 at whichadditional information is to be recorded.

[0105] In the first embodiment, step S49 is performed in CAV (ConstantAngular Velocity) mode and Steps S44 to S48 are performed in CLV(Constant Linear Velocity) mode.

[0106] In this way, for a disc onto which data is likely to be written,the disc information is sent back from the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22 to the host computer 21 withoutperforming the operation for acquiring disc information after thecompletion of the spinup. Thus, time required for the host computer 21to recognize a recordable optical disc 111 loaded into the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22 can be reduced.

[0107] Second Embodiment

[0108]FIGS. 5 and 6 show flowcharts of operations performed in anoptical disc recording/reproducing apparatus according to a secondembodiment. The connection between the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus and its host computer and theconfiguration of the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus arethe same as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The only difference is thatthe CPU 101 operates as shown in the flowcharts in FIGS. 5 and 6. Theoperation will also be described with reference to the example shown inFIG. 3.

[0109] When an optical disc 111 is loaded into the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22, the CPU 101 instructs a rotationcontrol circuit 109 to drive a spindle motor 110 at step S51.

[0110] At step S52, it is determined whether the loaded disc is aCD-R/CD-RW disc, or a stamped disc. CD-R/CD-RW discs contain wobbleinformation, which is specific to them. The determination as to whetherthe disc is a CD-R/CD-RW disc or a stamped disc is made on the basis ofwhether or not wobble information specific to CD-R/CD-RW can be readthrough the EFM wobble signal processing circuit 105.

[0111] If it is determined at step S53 that the disc is a CD-R/CD-RWdisc, step S54 is performed. At step S54, the CPU 101 seeks to a read-inarea 33 of the first session and acquires TOC information. At step S55,the CPU 101 seeks to the start position of the PMA 32, traces recordedPMA regions to acquire information about the recording type of recordedtracks, starting and end times.

[0112] Steps S51 to S55 described above are the same as steps S41 to S45in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0113] At step S56, a host environment flag value is checked to seewhether or not the host environment is the one in which an informationacquisition command for adding data to the disc at an early stage afterthe completion of spinup is issued. The host environment flag is set inthe optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus 22 as described below.

[0114]FIG. 6 shows process steps for initializing and setting the hostenvironment flag in a memory area for the host environment flag providedin RAM 102.

[0115] Upon the host computer 21 is powered on or upon the hard ware isreset, the CPU 101 initializes the host environment flag to “0” at stepS61. It also initializes the timer to “0.” Therefore, if the writingsoftware operating environment of the host computer 21 is changed, thehost environment flag value is updated, thereby allowing the setting ofdisc recognition timing to be changed according to a change in theenvironment of the host computer 21. The timer is subsequently used formeasuring a time interval from the completion of spinup until a commandfor sending back information about recording is issued.

[0116] At step S62, spinup is performed. After the completion of thespinup, time-keeping by the timer, which has be reset at step S61, isstarted at step S63.

[0117] At step S64, the CPU 101 waits until a first command concerningrecording is issued from the host computer 21. Then, the timer startedat step S63 is stopped at step S65.

[0118] At step S66, the measured timer value is compared with apredetermined threshold (for example 10 to 20 seconds) to see if it issmaller than or equal to the threshold. If so, the host environment flagis set to “1” at step S67.

[0119] If it is determined at step S56 that the host environment flag,which can be set by performing the operation in the flowchart in FIG. 6,is set, and therefore it is determined that the host environment is theone in which an information acquisition command concerning recording isissued in an early stage after the completion of spinup, then theprocess proceeds to step S57 because another information acquisitioncommand concerning recording will be issued in an early stage after thecompletion of a subsequent spinup.

[0120] At step S57, information required for reproduction operation andinformation required for recording operation are acquired in conjunctionwith each other during a spinup process. That is, all remaininginformation, including information about recording, is acquired bysearching through a close range in the direction the inner area to theouter edge of the disc. The information to be acquired for reproductioninclude final closed session information, required for reproduction, ina closed session, method 2 conversion information and track recordinformation in the closed session, and track record information andmethod 2 information in an open session.

[0121] The operations performed at step S57 are listed below.

[0122] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0123] Information required for recording

[0124] Track record information in a closed session

[0125] Method 2 information in an open session

[0126] Track record information in the open session

[0127] Information required for reproduction

[0128] Method 2 information in a closed session

[0129] Final closed session information

[0130] On the other hand, if it is determined at step S56 that the hostenvironment flag value is “0” and therefore that no informationacquisition command concerning additional recording is issued in anearly stage after the completion of spinup in the host environment, thenthe process proceeds to step S58 because information concerningrecording is not required immediately after the spinup.

[0131] At step S58 the method 2 conversion information in a closedsession is acquired and the final closed session is located to acquireinformation required for reproduction.

[0132] If it is determined at step S53 that the disc is not a CD-R/CD-RWdisc, the disc is considered as a stamped disc that contains noinformation about recording and the process proceeds to step S59.

[0133] The information acquired at step S58 is listed below.

[0134] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0135] Information required for reproduction

[0136] Method 2 information in a closed session

[0137] Final closed session information

[0138] At step S59, TOC information recorded in the read-in area 33 ofeach session is searched to acquire the TOC information and method 2information required only for reproduction for each session.

[0139] The operations performed at step S59 are listed below.

[0140] For each of the sessions to the nth session,

[0141] 1) TOC information is searched for,

[0142] 2) the TOC information is acquired, and

[0143] 3) method 2 information is acquired.

[0144] After the completion of any of steps S57, S58, and S59, then thespinup is complete at step S5A and the host computer 21 is notified ofthe completion of the spinup.

[0145] Then, at step S5B, the CPU 101 waits until an informationacquisition command required for recording is issued by the hostcomputer. Typical information acquisition commands required forrecording include a read-disc-information command that returns therecording state of an entire disc and a read-track-information commandthat returns the recording state of each track.

[0146] If it is determined at step S5B that an information acquisitioncommand required for recording is issued from the host computer 21, theprocess proceeds to step S5C.

[0147] At step S5C, the value of the host environment flag describedabove is determined. If it is determined that the host environment flagvalue is “0” indicating a command for acquiring information aboutrecording is not issued in an early stage after the completion ofspinup, the process proceeds to step S5D.

[0148] At step S5D, a close range is searched for in the direction fromthe inner area of the disc to the outer edge of the disc to acquire allthe remaining information, including information about an additionalrecord. If the disc is a stamp disc, which is not a recordable, then theCPU 101 acquires track record information. If the disc is a CD-R/CD-RWdisc, then the CPU 101 acquires track record information from a closedsession, track record information from an open session, and method 2conversion information and information about the position in which datais additionally recorded from the open session.

[0149] The operations performed at step S5D are listed below:

[0150] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0151] Track record information in a closed session

[0152] Method 2 information in an open session

[0153] Track record information in the open session.

[0154] If it is determined at step S5C that the host environment flagvalue is “1” indicating that an information acquisition commandconcerning additional recording is issued in an early stage after thecompletion of spinup in the host environment, or step S5D is completed,the process proceeds to step S5E.

[0155] At step S5E, recorded information acquired and stored in memoryis returned to the host computer 21 and then the process concerning discrecognition ends.

[0156] In this way, for a disc onto which data is likely to be written,the disc information is sent back from the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22 to the host computer 21 withoutperforming the operation for acquiring disc information after thecompletion of the spinup. Thus, the time required for the host computer21 to recognize a recordable optical disc 111 loaded into the opticaldisc recording/reproducing apparatus 22 can be reduced.

[0157] While the host environment flag is set in a RAM 102 used by theCPU 101 for its operation in the second embodiment, a separatenon-volatile memory such as a flash memory is provided in the opticaldisc recording/reproducing apparatus 22 besides the RAM 102 and the hostenvironment flag may be set in that non-volatile memory.

[0158] Third Embodiment

[0159]FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a process performed in the mainelements of an optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus of a thirdembodiment of the present invention. The connection between the opticaldisc recording/reproducing apparatus and the host computer and theconfiguration of the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus is thesame as those indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the only difference is thatthe CPU 101 operates as shown in the flowchart in FIG. 7. The operationwill be described with reference to the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0160] First, the relation between the flowchart in FIG. 7 and the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described, then the flowchart of theprocess in the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus according tothe third embodiment will be described.

[0161] When an optical disc 111 is loaded into the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22, steps S41 to S46 shown in FIG. 4 orsteps S41 to S43 and step S4A are performed depending on circumstances.

[0162] After step S46 is completed, step S71 is performed in the thirdembodiment, instead of step S47.

[0163] If it is determined at step S46 that packet writing has not beenused, then the disc is considered that data is not unlikely to bewritten in the disc and step S48, step S4A and the subsequent steps areperformed to return disc information to the host computer 21 at stepS4E.

[0164] The flowchart in FIG. 7 will be described in detail below.

[0165] When the optical disc 111 is loaded into the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22, the CPU 101 instructs a rotationcontrol circuit 109 to drive a spindle motor 110. If it is determinedthat the loaded disc is an optical disc that is likely to be written, aclose range is searched from the area near the inner area to the outeredge of the disc to acquire information about reproduction andinformation about recording in conjunction with each other in the sameprocess during a spinup.

[0166] First, the CPU 101 initializes separately an error-retry count C1for acquiring information required for reproduction and an error-retrycount C2 for acquiring information required for recording. The CPU 101also initializes a record information acquisition retry flag thatindicates whether or not a retry to acquire information concerningrecording that would have been acquired during spinup is performed in aperiod between the completion of the spinup and a response to a commandconcerning recording if the error-retry count is exceeded during thespinup.

[0167] At step S72, it is determined whether or not the error-retrycount C2 for acquiring information concerning recording has reached 0.If not, (1) information 1 required for reproduction and (2) informationrequired for writing are acquired at a time in step S73.

[0168] The operations performed at step S73 are listed below.

[0169] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0170] Information required for reproduction

[0171] Method 2 information in a closed session

[0172] Final closed session information

[0173] Information required for recording

[0174] Track record information in the closed session

[0175] Method 2 information in an open session

[0176] Track record information in the open session

[0177] At step S76, it is determined whether or not all information hasbeen acquired. If an error occurs during acquiring information requiredfor reproduction, the error-retry count C1 is decremented by 1 at stepS77. If an error occurs during acquiring information required forrecording, the error-retry count C2 is decremented by 1 at step S77.

[0178] At step S78, it is determined whether or not the error-retrycount for acquiring information required for reproduction is 0. If it is0, then a spinup error state is entered and the spinup error is reportedto the host computer 21. Otherwise, the process returns to step S72 anda retry is made for acquiring the information.

[0179] If it is determined that the error retry for acquiringinformation concerning recording is 0, step S74 is performed.

[0180] Only information (1) required for reproduction is acquired atstep S74, the record information acquisition retry flag is set to 1 atstep S75, and step S76 described above is performed.

[0181] The operations performed at step S74 are listed below.

[0182] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0183] Information required for reproduction

[0184] Method 2 information in a closed session

[0185] Final closed session information.

[0186] If it is determines at step S76 that the specified informationhas been acquired, the spinup is completed at step S79. Then, theprocess proceeds to step S7A to S7B. Then, record information stored inmemory is returned to the host computer 21 at step S7D.

[0187] At step S7A, the CPU 101 waits until a command for acquiringinformation required for recording is issued by the host computer 21.Typical commands for acquiring information required for recordinginclude a read-disc-information command that returns the recording stateof an entire disc and a read-track-information command that returnsrecording state of each individual track.

[0188] When a command for acquiring information required for recordingis issued by the host computer 21, step S7B is performed to determinewhether or not the record information acquisition retry flag value isset to 1. If so, the process proceeds to step S7C to retry to acquirethe information required for recording that has not been able to beacquired during the spinup.

[0189] The operations performed in step S7C are listed below.

[0190] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0191] Track record information in a closed session

[0192] Method 2 information in an open session

[0193] Track record information in the open session

[0194] On the other hand if it is determined at step S7B that the recordinformation acquisition retry flag value is not 1, or after step S7C iscompleted, step S7D is performed to return disc information stored inmemory to the host computer 21. Then the process concerning discrecognition ends.

[0195] The probability of occurrence of a timeout error due to failureto acquire information concerning recording during spinup can bedecreased because: in order to acquire information concerning recordingduring a spinup operation, the error-retry count C1 for (1) an operationfor acquiring information required for reproduction and the error-retrycount C2 for (2) an operation for acquiring information required forrecording are separately provided, the error-retry count C2 foracquiring the information concerning recording is set to a value smallerthan that of the error-retry count C1 for acquiring the informationrequired for reproduction, and, if the error-retry count C2 is exceeded,the operation for acquiring the information concerning recording duringthe spinup is suspended while the remaining spinup operation is beingcontinued, and the operation for acquiring the information concerningthe recording is performed at step S7C before step S7D where theinformation concerning the recording is returned in response to acommand.

[0196] While the example has been described in which the process shownin the flowchart in FIG. 7 is applied to the first embodiment, theprocess can be applied to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 toprovide the same advantages.

[0197] In particular, when an optical disc 111 is loaded into theoptical disc recording/reproducing apparatus 22, steps S51 to S56 orsteps S51 to S53 and step S59 shown in FIG. 5 are performed depending oncircumstances.

[0198] After step S56, step S71 in FIG. 7 is performed instead of stepS57.

[0199] If it is determined at step S56 that the host environment flagvalue is 0 indicating that a command for acquiring informationconcerning a write is not issued in an early state after the completionof spinup in the host environment, step S58, step S5A and the subsequentsteps are performed and then disc information is returned to the hostcomputer 21 at step S5E because it is not required that the informationconcerning the write be acquired immediately after the spinup.

[0200] Fourth Embodiment

[0201]FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an operation performed in the maincomponents of an optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The connection betweenthe optical disc recording/reproduction apparatus 22 and the hostcomputer 21 and the configuration of the optical discrecording/reproduction apparatus 22 are the same as those shown in FIGS.1 and 2. The only difference is that the CPU 101 operates as shown inthe flowchart in FIG. 8. The operation will be described with respect tothe example shown in FIG. 3.

[0202] When an optical disc 111 is loaded into the optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus 22, the CPU 101 instructs a rotationcontrol circuit 109 to drive a spindle motor 110 at step S81.

[0203] At step S82, it is determined whether the loaded optical disc isa CD-R/CD-RW disc or a stamped disc. CD-R/CD-RW discs contain wobbleinformation which is specific to them. The determination as to whetherthe disc is a CD-R/CD-RW disc or a stamped disc is made on the basis ofwhether or not wobble information specific to CD-R/CD-RW can be readthrough the EFM wobble signal processing circuit 105.

[0204] If it is determined at step S83 that the disc is a CD-R/CD-RWdisc, then step S84 is performed to seek to the read-in area 33 of thefirst session to acquire TOC information.

[0205] At step S85, the TOC information acquired from the first sessionat step S84 is used to determine whether or not there is likely to bethe second session. If it is determined that there is likely to be thesecond session, step S86 is performed.

[0206] At step S86, the CPU 101 seeks to the beginning of a PMA 32 andtraces a recorded area of the PMA to acquire information about therecording type for recorded tracks and start and end times.

[0207] At step S87, information required for reproduction andinformation required for recording are acquired according to therecording state of the optical disc 111. The spinup operation iscompleted at step S89 and the completion of the spinup is reported tothe host computer 21.

[0208] The operations performed in step S87 are listed below.

[0209] The following information is acquired by searching a closedistance in the direction from the inner area to the outer edge of thedisc:

[0210] Information required for reproduction,

[0211] Information required for recording.

[0212] On the other hand, if it is determined at step S85 that there isunlikely to be the second session, it is considered that there is notpossibility of a write to the second and subsequent sessions. Therefore,steps S86 and S87 are skipped and step S89 is performed withoutacquiring further remaining PMA information and further information forreproduction and recording.

[0213] On the other hand, if it is determined at step S83 that the discis not a CD-R/CD-RW disc, the disc is considered as a stamp disc havingno information about recording, and TOC information recorded in theread-in area 33 of each session is searched for to acquire the TOCinformation and method 2 information for each session that are requiredfor reproduction only, then step S89 is performed.

[0214] The operations performed in step S88 are listed below.

[0215] For each session to the n-th session,

[0216] 1) TOC information is searched for,

[0217] 2) the TOC information is acquired, and

[0218] 3) method 2 information is acquired.

[0219] After the spinup is completed at step S89, the CPU 101 waits atstep S8A until a record information acquisition command is issued by thehost computer 21.

[0220] When it is determined at step S8A that a record informationacquisition command is issued by the host computer 21, step S8B isperformed.

[0221] At step S8B, disc information stored in memory is returned to thehost computer 21, then the process for disc recognition ends.

[0222] In this way, if it is determined on the basis of the TOCinformation for the first session acquired from the loaded optical discthat the second session is void at step S84, the spinup time can bereduced because steps S86 and S87 are skipped and no further operationfor acquiring information in the PMA and information about furtherwriting are performed during the spinup.

[0223] Fifth Embodiment

[0224] While step S49 is performed in CAV mode and steps S44 to S48 areperformed in CLV mode in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4,steps S44 to S48 and step S4D are performed in CAV mode, in whichacceleration and speed reduction of the spindle motor 110 do not takeplace, in a fifth embodiment.

[0225] In particular, if it is determined at step S43 that the disc isnot a CD-R or CD-RW disc, performance in CAV mode has been availablesince seek and information acquisition is executed based on addressinformation in EFM information at step S4A.

[0226] On the other hand if it is determined at step S43 that the discis a CD-R or CD-RW disc, a seek is performed between a recorded area andan unrecorded area according to address information in a wobble in orderto acquire information at steps S44 to S48. In the past, wobbleinformation was able to be decoded only in CLV mode in which the linearvelocity is constant. In recent years, LSIs that have the capability ofencoding in CAV recording, has enabled decoding wobble information inCAV mode. Therefore, operations from J31 to J38 at step S44 to S48 andthe operation at step S4D can be performed in CAV mode in which theoperation of the spindle motor is stable without acceleration orreduction, thereby reducing the seek time and therefore reducing thetime required for the host computer to recognize the disc.

[0227] As can be seen from the foregoing description, according to theoptical disc recording/reproducing method of the present invention, if aloaded disc is found to be a disc onto which data will probably bewritten, or if it is determined that a command for acquiring informationconcerning recording will be issued from the host computer in an earlystage after the completion of spinup, the host computer environment isconsidered as one in which a loaded disc is likely to be recorded anddisc information concerning recording must be acquired for recognizingthe disc, and accordingly, acquisition of track record information andrecord position information required for recording is performed inconjunction with acquisition of information required for reproductionduring spinup, thereby reducing the time required for the host computerto recognize the disc.

[0228] Furthermore, the number of error retries for acquiringinformation concerning recording during a spinup operation can bereduced and the spinup can be continued after the informationacquisition is suspended due to an error to acquire the informationconcerning recording during a period of time between the completion ofthe spinup and the response to a command returning informationconcerning recording, thereby decreasing the probability of occurrenceof timeout errors due to failure to acquire information concerningrecording during the spinup.

[0229] Moreover, if it is determined that a loaded recording disc suchas a CD-R/CD-RW is closed in one session, the acquisition of PMAinformation used for acquiring all TOC information on the multi-sessionand the acquisition of information concerning writing are not performedduring spinup, thereby reducing the spinup time of that disc.

[0230] Furthermore, CAV mode in which the acceleration and reduction ofthe speed of the spindle motor do not occur is used for acquisition ofinformation required for recording and reproduction that involves accessto an inner area and an area near the outer edge of a disc, therebyreducing the time required for the host computer to recognize the disc.

1. An optical disc recording/reproducing method for using writingsoftware to perform recording and reproduction in an optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus connected to a host computer accordingto instructions from said host computer, comprising the steps of:determining whether or not an optical disc loaded in said optical discrecording/reproduction apparatus is an optical disc onto which data islikely to be written; and if it is determined in the preceding step thatthe disc is an optical disc onto which data is likely to be written,acquisition of disc information required for recording onto said opticaldisc is performed by said host computer during a spinup; wherein saidoptical disc recording/reproducing apparatus returns the discinformation to said host computer without performing the acquisition ofsaid disc information after the completion of the spinup for the opticaldisc onto which data is likely to be written.
 2. An optical discrecording/reproducing method for using writing software to performrecording and reproduction in an optical disc recording/reproducingapparatus connected to a host computer according to instructions fromsaid host computer, comprising the steps of: determining whether or nota command for said optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus toreturn information concerning recording to said host computer has beenissued by said host computer in an early stage after the completion of aspinup; storing the result of the determination in memory; determiningwhether the acquisition of disc information concerning recording shouldbe performed during the spinup or after the completion of the spinupaccording to the result of the determination read from said memory; andif it is determined in the preceding step that the acquisition should beperformed during the spinup, performing by said host computer theacquisition of the disc information required for recording on saidoptical disc during the spinup; wherein said optical discrecording/reproducing apparatus returns the disc information to saidhost computer without performing the acquisition of said discinformation after the completion of the spinup for the optical disc ontowhich data is likely to be written.
 3. The optical discrecording/reproducing method according to claim 2, wherein said step ofdetermining whether or not the command has been issued by said hostcomputer in an early stage after the completion of the spinup measuresthe time period between the completion of the spinup and the issuance ofa command returning information concerning recording and, if themeasured time period is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold,determines that the command is issued from said host computer in anearly stage after the completion of the spinup.
 4. The optical discrecording/reproducing method according to claim 2, wherein said step ofstoring the result of the determination in the memory initializes saidmemory upon powering on said host computer or resetting a hardwarethereof, and sets stored values within a period from the completion ofthe spinup on the first load of an optical disc after the initializationto the issuance of the command for returning information concerningrecording.
 5. The optical disc recording/reproducing method according toclaim 1, wherein the acquisition of information required forreproduction and the acquisition of information required for recordingare performed in conjunction with each other in the same process duringthe spinup.
 6. The optical disc recording/reproducing method accordingto claim 1, wherein when the acquisition of information concerningrecording is performed during the spinup, the count of error retries foracquiring information required for reproduction and the count of errorretries for acquiring information required for recording are providedseparately and the count of error retries for acquiring informationrequired for recording is set to a value less than that of the count oferror retries for acquiring information required for reproduction; andif the count of error retries for acquiring information concerningrecording is exceeded, the acquisition of the information concerningrecording during the spinup is suspended and the remaining spinup iscontinued and the information concerning recording is acquired before aresponse to the command for returning the information concerningrecording is provided.
 7. An optical disc recording/reproducing methodfor using writing software to perform recording and reproduction in anoptical disc recording/reproducing apparatus connected to a hostcomputer according to instructions from said host computer, wherein:track information recorded in an extended recording area of an opticaldisc loaded on said optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus, TOCinformation for the first session from among pieces of TOC informationthat are index information of reproducible tracks, and informationconcerning the final closed session are acquired during a spinup; it isdetermined from the acquired TOC information for the first sessionwhether or not the second session is valid, and if it is determined thatthe second session is void, the acquisition of the track information inthe extended recording area of said optical disc and informationconcerning the remaining recording are not performed during the spinup.8. The optical disc recording/reproducing method according to claim 1,wherein, it is determined whether or not the loaded optical disc isrecordable, and if the determination is positive, the acquisition ofinformation concerning recording and information concerning reproductionis performed in CAV mode to reduce the seek time compared with the seektime in CLV mode and reduces the time required for the host computer torecognize the disc.
 9. An optical disc recording/reproducing apparatusconnected to a host computer for using writing software to performrecording and reproduction according to instructions from said hostcomputer, comprising: storage for storing, as a program, all of, one of,or a combination of a plurality of the optical discrecording/reproducing methods according to claims 1; and controller forperforming the program stored in said storage.